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Archiver > FreeBMD-Admins > 1999-01 > 0915479253


From: Graham Hart <>
Subject: Re: BMD v LDS?
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 1999 19:47:33 +0000


Hi Alan,

I read the same thing in the FT Mag.... However, we are talking about
different projects...

The LDS and the "Easier and Cheaper Access to Civil Registration
records" are trying to get access to the original records, bypassing the
current method of having to order and pay for a certificate before we
know that it is the correct one.

In this project we are trying to make the best of what we have... the
indexes themselves.

As I have said before on this list, my view is that the time it will
take to get parliamentary time to allow such a change to be made, leaves
considerable time for our project to make a large start on the indexing.
Any work that we do before the records are, if they ever are, made
available for other indexing schemes won't be wasted.

I would see this project as forming a large base of any future indexing
project which may be allowed in the future. The three of us in the
project are genealogists and, like the vast majority of you, are
interested only in helping future genealogists have a tool. Without
someone starting the 1881 census project we would still be having to
search through streets of people hoping to come across our ancestor, the
people involved in that project did a great service to the genealogical
community... we hope that we are trying something similar...

I am in contact with people in the LDS and I hope that they will form a
large part of our manpower once we get the project up and running. They
have great resources and, clearly, they have the Fiche and Film
required. I believe this project will have their support.

In terms of competing resource, I hope that any projects will be able
to run alongside each other. A few reasons are as follows:

1a) Any project to index the originals can only be done in situ (i.e.
where the records are)
1b) Our project can be done using resource anywhere where copies of the
indexes are available.

2a) The equipment required in filming the originals is cameras and
image technology
2b) Our technology is home computers and finger power.

3a) The range of 100 million records which exist between 1838 and 1900
makes it almost impractical to computer index all records as they are
filmed, without significant manpower
3b) If, however, a database exists and only
checking/correction/addition is required, then the job becomes a valid
proposition. i.e. FreeBMD provides a computerised version of the current
indexes which are then corrected by any future project.

Those ar three of the many reasons why I am sure that anyone else
hoping to get the BMDs online in any form will work with us and we will
work with them.

We have, of course, to conform to the terms of our agreement with the
ONS.

I hope that this eases the minds of anyone who is worried about any
potential conflict...

Please feel free to comment .. it is an important discussion and one
that will keep coming up .. so we need to be sure of the answers.

Cheers

Graham

(My views .. :) )

Alan Rowland wrote:
>
> I read this month's Family Tree with mixed feelings.
>
> On one page there is the news that BMD have been granted permission to go
> ahead with the projects.
>
> On another page - reporting the regular FT outing to Salt Lake City - I read
> that the Latter Day Saints are interested in taking on a new project.
> This project as yet undefined is to film and index the GRO records.
>
> Is there an opportunity for us all to work together here - with the well
> known resources that the LDS are known to have? Or will there be two
> competing resources?
>
> Regards
>
> Alan Rowland
>
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